Screening, surveillance and psychology: The life of a genetic counsellor

Dr Aideen McInerney-Leo always had a curiosity about science, and it was a babysitting gig in her teenage years that opened up the world of genetics. While studying her undergraduate in London, Aideen went for a walk past one of the world’s leading children’s hospital. A cold call to the hospital switchboard and a letter to the head of clinical genetics department led to an incredible career that has taken Aideen around the world, from London to the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins in the United States, and then to Australia, working at the now-Fraser Institute at The University of Queensland. As a genetics counsellor, Aideen’s role covers the practicalities of screening, surveillance, and testing, and the psychology of grief, burden, and guilt associated with inherited diseases. Donate now to support future episodes of Women in Science: www.justgiving.com/campaign/women-in-science-podcast Read more about Aideen’s research: https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/23291 Season 3 of Women in Science has been made possible with the generous support of Professor Aideen McInerney-Leo.